A couple of questions on the new HC ideas.

[murray hill farm]

Ok If 55 to 64 year olds can buy into Medicare, what does "Buy" mean. I am over 65 and do pay a minimal for healthcare (as does everyone on Medicare), but I am wondering what the pay scale for the 55 to 64 group would be. It is a good deal, if the pay scale remains the same...but not so good if it is a higher amount or if this plan is not available for everyone in this age group.

Also, I am confused about the manditory insurance requirement for those between the ages of 18 and 55. What is that about? If insurance companies are not held in check, does this mean that an out of work family is required to buy insurance that there is no possible way for them to come up with the growing premium prices ...or the out of this world premiums of today.

Any info on this is appreciated. Thanks

[doc03]

1. What this means to me is if I retire next year at 62

the company will dump my insurance and I will have to buy into Medicare and pay out of my pocket for Medigap insurance or be forced into bankruptcy paying the 20% if I get sick. The highest cost people 55 and over and many with preexisting conditions will be dumped on an already underfunded system. The insurance companies must have written this one, it leaves them with the youngest healthiest people and dumps the sick on Uncle Sam.

[murray hill farm]

3. and the youngest healthiest...

and often unemployed will be mandated and legally required to buy insurance? I must just not understand this! Hope someone here does understand it and lets us know!

[Old Codger]

2. medicare payscale

part A: (Hospital Insurance) Premium

*
Most people do not pay a monthly Part A premium because they or a spouse has 40 or more quarters of Medicare-covered employment.
*
The Part A premium is $244.00 per month for people having 30-39 quarters of Medicare-covered employment.
*
The Part A premium is $443.00 per month for people who are not otherwise eligible for premium-free hospital insurance and have less than 30 quarters of Medicare-covered employment.

Part B: (Medical Insurance) Premium

$96.40 per month*


Link for medicare

http://questions.medicare.gov/cgi-bin/medicare.cfg/php/...